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Chinese hackery

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If I use Chrome, this does not happen.

When I use Firefox, Every. Single. Time. I log into gmail, all the instructions are in Chinese. If I just log out, default is Chinese. Do I need to change my email address? Gmail is my work email, also, and it doesn't happen with that account at work, but the default browser is Chrome.

Yes, I've repeatedly changed the language back to English. I have 2-step verification for logging in. I just changed my password, closed all browsers, reset trusted devices. Did not help. If I use Mozilla Firefox, when I type in gmail.com, my email addresses are in English; everything else is Chinese.

If I use Chrome, this does not happen. When I use Firefox, Every. Single. Time. I log into gmail, all the instructions are in Chinese. If I just log out, default is Chinese. Do I need to change my email address? Gmail is my work email, also, and it doesn't happen with that account at work, but the default browser is Chrome. Yes, I've repeatedly changed the language back to English. I have 2-step verification for logging in. I just changed my password, closed all browsers, reset trusted devices. Did not help. If I use Mozilla Firefox, when I type in gmail.com, my email addresses are in English; everything else is Chinese.

All Replies (2)

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So what Language version of Firefox are you using? If you use Proxy or VPN outside of you language region the Browser will switch to that language verison.

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If you haven't already, try deleting your Google cookies, twice:

(1) On a www.google.com page (this will sign you out) (2) On a mail.google.com page (this will sign you out)

While viewing a page on the site, click the lock icon at the left end of the address bar. After a moment, a "Clear Cookies and Site Data" button should appear at the bottom. Go ahead and click that. Firefox will ask you to confirm; go ahead and confirm.

Then try loading Gmail in a new tab. Any improvement?


Maybe your requests are modified by an intermediary (such as a proxy server, your security software, or an interloper)? Although most people are not intentionally using a proxy server, Firefox may discover one set up in your system settings. Sometimes forcing Firefox to ignore those settings helps with weird connection issues. Here's how:

Open the Settings page using either:

  • "3-bar" menu button > Settings
  • (menu bar) Tools > Settings
  • type or paste about:preferences into the address bar and press Enter/Return to load it

In the very tiny search box at the top of the page, type proxy and Firefox should filter to the "Network Settings" section of the page.

Click the Settings button, change the top setting to "No Proxy" and then click the OK button at the bottom of the dialog to save your change.

Any difference?


If the proxy change didn't help, could you test in Firefox's Troubleshoot Mode? In that mode, Firefox temporarily deactivates extensions, hardware acceleration, any userChrome.css/userContent.css files, and some other advanced features to help you assess whether these are causing the problem.

If Firefox is running:

You can restart Firefox in Safe/Troubleshoot Mode using either:

  • "3-bar" menu button > Help > Troubleshoot Mode... (before Fx88: Restart with Add-ons Disabled)
  • (menu bar) Help menu > Troubleshoot Mode... (before Fx88: Restart with Add-ons Disabled)

and OK the restart. A small dialog should appear. Click the Open button (before Fx88: "Start in Safe Mode" button).

If Firefox is not running:

Hold down the Shift key when starting Firefox. (On Mac, hold down the option/alt key instead of the Shift key.) A small dialog should appear. Click the Open button (before Fx88: "Start in Safe Mode" button).

Note: Don't use the Refresh without first reviewing this article to understand what will be deleted: Refresh Firefox - reset add-ons and settings.

Any improvement?